Monday, March 11, 2013

All in the family - Sean and Hannah Lee Mencher

Families make music.

It has always been thus. Music historically has been something that was made around kitchen tables or living rooms. Its only as modernization has allowed us more time away from home and hearth that music has become more of an individual practice.

Some families still keep that tradition alive.

Meet Sean and Hannah Lee Mencher, father and daughter from Portland, Maine. Sean is a longtime music professional, having played solo, with Ronnie Dawson and with his own own band, The Rhythm Kings. Mencher has appear on Conan! (With Dawson), and has spent a lot of time touring as well as playing shows in and around the Northeast U.S.

Hannah Lee Mencher is working on become a teacher, but she has the kind of voice that makes people stop in their tracks. The diminutive singer/songwriter has a lot of original material written, but none of it is set to tape yet. But it seems likely that given time, and opportunity, you're going to hear a lot more from Miss Mencher. Just remember that we told you about her first.

Sean Mencher has a fair amount of material available for viewing/listening on YouTube.com. I couldn't find much for Hannah Lee, but this clip features Sean Mencher (Guitar/Vocals); Kris Day (bass); Bob Hamilton (electric guitar); Hannah Lee Mencher (vocals) and a pretty amazing, yet anonymous harmonica player. The setting is Local Sprouts Cafe in Portland, Maine. It's not a high end recording, but it's definitely worth a listen.

For those of you interested in catching Hannah Lee Mencher live, she is currently performing regularly at Good Morning Cafe in Ballston Spa, NY. It's a neat little cafe that serves local, sustainable, organic and fair trade foods (primarily breakfast). You'll have to get there early however, as Good Morning Cafe closes at 2:00 p.m. every day!

They also feature local and traveling acoustic artists! If you're passing through town and are looking for a place to play, give them a call at (518) 309-3359!